Bowling Industry News

The bowling world and Storm family mourn the passing of PBA champion Tony Reyes, killed tragically in an auto related accident early Friday morning in California.

"All of us at Storm send our condolences to Tony's family," said Hank Boomershine, Storm Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Tony was a great bowler and wonderful human being. This is a tragic loss."

SEATTLE (Sept. 28, 2012) - The sport of bowling was shaken Friday with the news that PBA Tour champion Tony Reyes had been killed in a car accident in California.

Reyes, 38, who competed in 14 seasons on the PBA Tour, won his lone Tour title in dramatic fashion in the 2006 Motor City Classic in Detroit where he bowled the 18th televised 300 game in PBA Tour history in the semifinal match against Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III before going on to defeat Wes Malott in the championship match 255-238.

Reyes, of San Bruno, Calif., cut back on Tour competition in recent seasons to concentrate on his pro shop business and coaching. Most recently, he finished sixth in the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions, 21st in 2012 and 37th in 2011.

“It is a sad day for the PBA and bowling,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “You hear descriptions about people all the time as being 'great guys.’ Well in Tony Reyes’ case, that is an understatement. No one who ever met Tony Reyes didn't like Tony Reyes. He was a great bowler, a unique talent with a gift of spreading the virtues of the game, a wonderful friend and the sadness we feel is indescribable. Our thoughts are with the Reyes family.”

Reyes, who also won eight PBA Regional titles, graduated from San Jose State University in 1998 with a degree in radio, television and film. He competed on the San Jose State bowling team from 1992-95 and was named First Team All-America in 1993 and '95. He was also an assistant coach for the San Jose State bowling team.

“Tony Reyes was an amazing person,” said PBA Deputy Commissioner and longtime PBA Tour Director Kirk von Krueger. “When he walked into a room, you just couldn’t help but smile; he simply made you feel good. Tony’s ‘100 watt’ smile was a window into the man inside and it told you everything you needed to know about him."

According to the San Bruno Patch News website, the accident occurred in the early morning hours Friday in the town of Redwood City.

Reyes was married to wife Nicole and had a one-year-old daughter, Gianna.